Yarn is supplied in different package forms depending on the next process. Here are the main ones.
Cone
The most common package for knitting and weaving — conical, feeds smoothly at speed. See how to read a cone label and estimate quantities with the cone & carton estimator.
Cheese
A cylindrical package (flat ends), used for dyeing (package/cheese dyeing) and some winding processes.
Hank
A loosely coiled skein, used for hank dyeing (common for certain handloom and specialty yarns) and some retail forms.
Beam
Yarn wound onto a large beam for warping and weaving preparation — the warp sheet the loom draws from.
Which you need
Knitting and most weaving take cones; dyeing may need cheeses or hanks; warp prep uses beams. Tell us your process and we will supply in the right form.
Tell us your process and package needs - we supply cones, cheeses, hanks.
More in our yarn guides and glossary.